Despite a left elbow injury sidelining him, Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Kiké Hernández has been supporting Team Puerto Rico during the World Baseball Classic. He attended their recent pool play victory over Panama in San Juan and plans to be present for the upcoming quarterfinal against Italy in Houston. Hernández described the experience as both rewarding and challenging.
Kiké Hernández, a three-time World Series champion with the Dodgers, has long represented Puerto Rico in international play, including in the 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics. However, a left elbow injury sustained last season, followed by offseason surgery, has prevented him from participating this year. Placed on the 60-day injured list, Hernández is expected to miss the first two months of the Major League season.
Last Saturday, Puerto Rico secured a 4-3 victory over Panama in a 10-inning Pool A game at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan. Darell Hernaiz delivered the walk-off home run, marking only the second such moment in tournament history. Hernández, sporting bleached-blond hair like his teammates, joined the celebration on the field but refrained from fully participating due to his injury status.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Hernández shared mixed emotions. "You show up, you wear the uniform, you go out there for the anthem and you look around -- you can't do it," he said. "It was really cool, but it was also really hard. … It was tough being there, but I'll be there again in Houston, cheering them against Italy and providing whatever it is I need to provide as far as guidance or cheerleading, whatever it is."
The Dodgers have supported Hernández's involvement, allowing him time away from Spring Training in Glendale, Arizona. Manager Dave Roberts noted, "In all honesty, to take a handful of days away from being here, this grind, it's not a whole lot of downside. It's going to be a longer road for him to not be able to participate, so to get a little bit of reprieve and go root on his country, I think that's a good thing."
Puerto Rico's advancement has been notable given absences of several key players due to insurance and injury concerns. Hernández, who texted Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman for permission to attend the quarterfinals, received quick approval even before the team's qualification was confirmed. He expressed hope for similar support if Puerto Rico reaches the semifinals in Miami.
For Hernández, the Classic holds special significance. "For me personally, I was running to home plate conscious that I wasn't necessarily part of the team, so I couldn't run laps around home plate like I did on Freddie's walk-off homers," he said of Hernaiz's homer. "But it's still up there as one of those really cool moments that I'll always remember."
The packed stadium of 18,000 fans singing "Preciosa" after the win left a lasting impression. "I get a lot more nervous when I'm not playing because I don't have any power over it," Hernández admitted. "Obviously seeing that stadium packed out was pretty special. Getting the 'W' and having a stadium of 18,000 people singing a pretty significant song for our island all together, it's a moment that I'll never forget."
